In a mountain forest in a remote region, noisy rustling came from within the bushes, accompanied by two sets of footsteps.
Two figures emerged from the undergrowth, a boy and a girl. Both looked no more than their early teens. Judging from the satchels at their waists and their fitted travel clothes, it was clear they were travelers passing through.
"We're almost there. Orario, the center of the world."
The black-haired boy lifted his eyes toward the sky. Through the drifting clouds, the silhouette of a colossal tower could be faintly seen. An uncontrollable trace of excitement surfaced on his face.
His features were refined and striking, straight nose, sharp contours, handsome in a clean and elegant way.
The girl beside him was even more eye-catching. Her glossy golden hair should have cascaded down her waist, yet it was tied high into a ponytail instead.
Animal ears the same color as her hair twitched gently, and a thick, fluffy tail swayed softly behind her.
This was a rare race seen only in a few regions of the Far East, the Renard.
Though still young, the fox girl's figure already carried a soft, graceful charm, caught between girlhood and womanhood.
Hearing the boy's words, she instinctively looked into the distance as well. When she spotted the faint outline of the towering structure, her eyes brightened.
Taking small, hurried steps, the Renard girl clutched the hem of the boy's clothes with her pale, slender fingers, afraid of losing him.
The boy turned to look at her. "Let's rest here for a bit before continuing, Haruhime."
Haruhime.
"Eh… I-I'm not tired, Senji-sama. I can still—"
At the mention of resting, a trace of fear and panic flashed across Haruhime's face. She waved her hands hurriedly.
She subconsciously tried to steady her heavy breathing from the long journey, attempting to hide her exhaustion so Senji wouldn't notice.
"Honestly. I told you to rest, didn't I? You think I'm not tired too?"
Seeing how cautious she was being, Senji sighed helplessly and sat down on a nearby rock first.
"This is an order."
He added the last sentence immediately.
Hearing those words, Haruhime's body stiffened slightly. She quickly sat beside him, took two water flasks from her small backpack, unscrewed one, and handed it to Senji.
Senji accepted it with a satisfied smile and drank deeply.
Haruhime only took small sips. Her lips rested lightly against the flask, her posture elegant and composed. It was obvious she had been raised as a noble lady.
At the same time, she stole subtle glances at Senji, carefully studying her master, a complicated, indescribable emotion stirring in her heart.
These past few days felt like a dream…
From being the young lady of the Sanjouno Family, to violating a taboo, to being exiled by her enraged father… and then being taken away by Senji-sama…
The sudden change in her life stirred up turbulent emotions, yet she had no way to voice them.
Still… it didn't seem so bad.
Before, she had known nothing of the outside world. Every day was spent learning noble etiquette and proper conduct. That pampered life had been lonely.
Thankfully, she had a few friends, and she never lacked food or clothing. That was, until that incident happened.
As Senji drank, he naturally caught sight of the complex emotions that flashed across Haruhime's face. All he could do was sigh inwardly.
"It really does feel like a dream…"
Senji gazed at the sky and reflected quietly.
He wasn't originally from this world. He was someone who had been sent here by a truck. Senji. Or rather, now he should be called Senji Uchiha.
When he first learned that surname, he honestly thought he had transmigrated into the Naruto world. He had been so frightened he started planning escape routes, fully expecting a clan massacre to happen any day.
It was only after learning more that he realized it was just a coincidence. The name was the same, nothing more.
Because he was born into a great family, Senji had heard countless tales from bards and books since childhood. Stories of the Dungeon, of gods descending into the mortal world, and of adventurers risking their lives.
Gods who fell from heaven to live as people. A labyrinthine Dungeon filled with danger. A world where adventurers thrived.
From that moment on, Senji had wanted to see this vibrant, colorful world with his own eyes.
After persuading his parents, he left home to travel.
As for Haruhime… honestly, she had been an accident.
After leaving his family's territory, Senji headed toward Orario, the center of the world, treating the journey as travel.
Before departing, however, he attended a banquet held by the Sanjouno Family as a representative of the Uchiha.
That was where he met Haruhime, who had committed a grave mistake. She had eaten an offering meant for the goddess who ruled the Far East.
The Head of the Sanjouno Family, a high-ranking official of the state, flew into a rage. He intended to punish Haruhime, disown her as his daughter, and strip her of the Sanjouno name.
Sensing that something was wrong, Senji, as a guest of honor, spoke up. He intervened, saved Haruhime, and asked if she was willing to leave with him. After that, he took her away from the Sanjouno household.
To be honest, the idea of sleepwalking and stealing an offering sounded absurd no matter how he thought about it. Exiling one's own daughter over something like that reeked of conspiracy.
When persuasion failed, Senji used his status as a Uchiha noble for the first time.
He took responsibility for handling the matter himself.
The Head of the Sanjouno Family had no objections. After all, Senji was a core member of the Uchiha, of noble birth and high standing.
Even though the Sanjouno Family was an old and prestigious noble house in the Far East, it still couldn't compare to the Uchiha. Naturally, they gave Senji face.
His thoughts returned to the present.
Stretching lazily, Senji handed the water flask back to Haruhime and asked, "When we reach Orario, is there anything you want to do? Or do you want to visit another country?"
He had no intention of binding her freedom, especially not such a pitiful girl.
"Senji-sama… d-did Haruhime do something wrong? Please don't abandon me…"
At those words, a sudden chill crept into her heart, like dark clouds silently blocking out the sun.
Tears welled up in her eyes. Each drop that fell felt as if it shattered the last remaining sliver of hope in her heart. Panic and helplessness were written all over her delicate face.
She looked so pitiful it would tug at anyone's heart. And she was a Renard girl on top of that.
Senji was completely caught off guard. He hurriedly said, "No, no, don't cry. That's not what I meant. I mean… you can do whatever you want. You don't have to stay by my side. You're free."
He quickly took out a handkerchief and wiped away her tears, feeling both amused and at a loss.
How did she even misunderstand that? And with how innocent she looked, if she ever ran into someone with bad intentions, he didn't even want to imagine what would happen.
"But… Father said that from now on, I am Senji-sama's maid, and that I must serve Senji-sama well. I only want to stay by Senji-sama's side. I have nowhere else to go…"
Haruhime spoke through her sobs, her tear-filled eyes fixed tightly on him.
Her mind replayed her father's harsh scolding after she was cast out of the Sanjouno Family, as well as the debt she owed Senji for saving her.
Now, following Senji was her only option. She clung desperately to that fragile light of hope, unwilling to let go.
Looking at her, Senji fell silent. He didn't say anything more, only gently wiped away her tears.
He really hadn't thought it through.
Haruhime was still very young. She had just been expelled from her family after living a life of luxury. Expecting her to survive independently was simply too cruel.
Well, since he had brought her this far, Senji would take responsibility. When she decided to leave on her own someday, he wouldn't stop her. One extra mouth to feed wasn't a problem.
Besides, raised under strict traditional teachings, she would cling tightly to the Head of the Sanjouno Family's instructions. Senji knew this wasn't something that could be changed overnight.
He didn't push the issue. Reaching out, he rubbed her head and smiled lightly. "Then stay with me. When you finally have something you want to do, just tell me."
He wiped the corner of her eye again. What a crybaby fox.
"Okay!"
Hearing that she could continue staying by Senji's side, Haruhime immediately broke into a smile through her tears. As for the rest of his words, she hadn't heard a single one.
Senji could tell and could only shake his head helplessly. This silly fox was hopeless.
"Honestly. Your face is a mess from crying. Don't let me start disliking you."
"E-eh?!"
Haruhime panicked. Realizing how badly she had lost her composure, she hurriedly wiped her cheeks, only to smear tear tracks everywhere.
"But crying's fine too. Tears can wash your face."
Senji patted her head and spoke softly.
Listening to his gentle reassurance, warmth flowed through Haruhime's heart. She lifted her head slightly, her watery eyes carefully studying him.
"I won't let you down, Senji-sama. I'll become an excellent maid."
She nodded solemnly, full of determination, leaving Senji unsure what exactly she was fired up about.
As for being a maid… forget it.
A pampered Renard young lady who had never lifted a finger. If she could even take care of herself, Senji would already be grateful.
Still, it wasn't the time to discourage her. He simply nodded. "Do your best."
"And one more thing. Just call me Senji. Adding '-sama' sounds strange. There's no noble or maid here. We're equals."
"Th-then… Senji-sa—"
"Hm?"
"S-Senji…"
Hearing her finally say his name, Senji nodded in satisfaction. He braced his hands on the rock, hopped down, and stretched.
"Let's go. Onward to Orario!"